Test into Testimony!

The book of Acts describes the activities of the very first believers after the death and resurrection of Christ.

Today as my daily study led me to Acts chapter 11, I was amazed at how obviously and flamboyantly the enemies of the very first Christians were defeated. To put it simply, God turned what was meant to be the downfall of the believers into a great and wonderful testimony. 

In Acts chapter 7 we see how Stephen was unjustly put to death by the Jewish leaders who in doing this thought they could silence the gospel... However to their dismay, Stephens death was only the beginning of a vast spreading of the gospel! As can be seen in verse 11, even gentiles were finally brought into the equation... now there was no limitation to the power of the gospel! 

Action point: Take heed, most often trials or difficult situations arise that may test the faith of even the strongest believers... this is an indication that God is about to prove Himself! :)

Put the past in the past!

Yesterday my daily study led me to Acts chapter 9. This chapter touched me so much as the Holy spirit led me to see it in different dimensions.

Saul was a terror to God's people, he was eager to persecute and destroy the Lord's followers. However, he soon had an encounter with God which changed his resolve altogether! 

Sometimes its difficult to change our behavior or negative habits which hinders God's work in the lives of people around us or even destroys the habitation of the Holy Spirit... which is the temple of God... our very physical beings. For anyone to truly change negative attributes will take a real encounter with God, the kind that Saul experienced in Acts. He was broken down and demoralised, which enabled him to see God. 

Have you seen God yet? 

There are times when things in my past creep up on me... people and situations remind me of negative things that should have been left behind... and fear and anxiety shows face. But look, how marvelous God is in this Acts chapter 9, when He said concerning Saul - irregardless of all that he had done to persecute God's people - he is my chosen instrument!

This reminds us therefore that if God is going to redeem us, use us for His work, He is going to do so irregardless of all the negative reports people have filed up!

I see very clearly that God doesn't show partiality. In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right. (Acts 10:34-35)

Everyone who believes in Christ will have their sins forgiven in His name. (Acts 10:43)

Action Point: I've made up my mind to put the past where it belongs... in the past! 

Many "Christians" are missing it!

In Acts chapter 5 we learn how the man Ananias and his wife lie to God. Peter said to the man "why has satan filled your heart?"

This chapter of Acts highlights to me a key issue in people today. Although it may not be as brazen as physically lying in front of the alter, many of us has allowed our hearts to be taken over by satan in the sense that our mission has deviated from edifying Gods work to acquiring self and materialistic things. This is what happened to Ananias and his wife. The church is described as being a selfless one which sought to share everything they owned with each-other... The bible records in Acts chapter 4 that 'there was no poverty among them'. Ananias however, went against this goal and thought instead about his own self gain rather than about the church and the progress of the gospel.

The funny thing in all this, is that the offering of money and selling of land from individuals of the church in Acts was completely voluntary! Therefore, we must wonder why Ananias felt the need to try and deceive the church instead of just keeping his belongings to himself! The fact is that many of us do this today! Although our minds and our hearts have left God and is filled with material wants and ambitions, we still want to be seen as doing Gods will... eye service... so they wont say that were not contributing... so that that brother or sister can see me... so that the pastor wont say... yes, so many of us are lying to God and deceiving ourselves with the false offerings we present to God! That's why Peter said to Ananias in verse 4, "you are not lying to man but to God." Now, it may rarely be in the form of money but as we offer praises, and as we do those things in the church that we say we do for God, are we only giving half of what we have? Are we doing it whole heartedly or just doing it for eye service to try and deceive God?

Now, God is merciful, but the repercussions are still deadly when we fail to come clean to ourselves and really commit to Gods work fully! Because God sees our deception and He cannot be fooled, and although He may not strike people down physically as He did to Ananias and his wife in Acts 5, there are some things in your life that may be struck down as a result of trying to deceive God... The life that was given to you when you were fist born again, the Holy Spirit! At this stage one is as good as dead... the sad thing is that people fail to notice this as they often believe in themselves that they are still with God as they struggle using human rationalization logistics to do the things of God... human rationalization and logistics is what prompted Ananias and his wife to save some money from the land they sold to themselves, and its what prompts most "Christians" today to pay their tithes every other month or to be partial in their service... in the name of just being human... many Christians are missing it!

Confidence come from God!

Do Not Judge!

The same measure you use to judge others, will be used to judge you!

What does that tell you?

We MUST be merciful to everyone... because the more we are harsh towards others mistakes the less worthy we are of God's mercy! 

Although His mercy and love is unfailing... it says in Matthew 7 that we must not be hypocrites! 

There is no-one on this earth who is perfect... He who has not sinned should throw the first stone! "First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brothers eye"!